Young Socceroos claim second Tri Series victory

The Young Socceroos completed their part in the 2017 Tri Series with a comfortable 4-0 win against the Singapore National Youth team at a packed Hartfield Park on Friday evening.

Fresh off their 3-0 win against the WA State team in the opening game of the tournament, the Young Socceroos led at half time, with a superb finish from Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Marc Tokich.

They continued their dominance after the break with Western Sydney Wanderers striker Moudi Najjar scoring a quick brace.

A late penalty from Melbourne Victory winger Christian Theoharous rounded off a comprehensive win for Ufuk Taley’s side in front of more than 1,000 supporters.

The coach was pleased with the series and said it was good preparation for their up-coming AFC Qualifies.

“It was a great ID process for me with the players, and it’s been a very positive week for the boys,” he said.

“You bring players into the camp to show what they can do and it was a huge plus moving forward to the AFC qualifiers.

“It’s great to play international games in different states, and we’ve really enjoyed being over here and hopefully it can happen again.”

Perth Glory midfielder Callum Timmins captained the Young Socceroos side in the second half of the match, and said the series had been a great opportunity for the squad to work on their game.

“It was a great honour to captain the side, a great experience and something every young player strives for, and to cap it off with a big win makes it even more memorable,” he said.

“It was a good performance tonight, and it carried on from the win on Wednesday, and it’s been a good week in camp.

“The boys have worked hard and adapted well to the philosophies of the game the coaches are trying to implement, and to get two good wins and clean sheets as well is very positive.”

The Young Socceroos dominated early, but Singapore had keeper Muhammad Zharfan Bin Rohaizad to thank for keeping them in the game.

He saved low to deny Giordano Marafioti after only four minutes, and produced a stunning double save ten minutes later to thwart Oliver Puflett and Mohamed Adam.

But there was little the keeper could do when the Young Socceroos took the lead five minutes before half time, as Tokich’s half volley from the edge of the penalty area flew into the bottom corner of the net.

Singapore looked dangerous going forward, but they struggled in the final third, and at the break they trailed 1-0.

Like the first game it was a new Young Socceroos side in the second half, but it was Singapore who had a great chance to level seven minutes in.

Ikhsan Fandi Ahmad lost his marker on the edge of the penalty area and raced into goal, but his shot was well saved by Duro Dragicevic.

The Young Socceroos took control of the game shortly after with two goals in as many minutes.

First a great through ball from Perth Glory’s Walter Scott sent Theoharous down the left, and his low cross was turned home by Najjar.

The second was a carbon copy of the first, with great build up down the left and Najjar was on hand to guide the ball home.

The scoring was completed nine minutes from time when Theoharous was brought down in the box and referee Adam Fielding pointed straight to the spot. Theoharous scored from the resulting penalty.

The Tri Series action continues on Tuesday, August 8 at Dorrien Gardens when WA takes on the Singapore National Youth team, who are preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.